Standard Lemma guide

misapprehend

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /mɪsapɹɪˈhɛnd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛnd

1

verb

Meaning 1

To interpret incorrectly; to misunderstand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

interpret in the wrong way

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Don't misinterpret my comments as criticism
  • She misconstrued my remarks

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: misconstrue, misinterpret, misconceive, misunderstand, be amiss

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: interpret, construe, see

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mey-? Proto-Indo-European *meyth2-der. Proto-Germanic *missaz Proto-Germanic *missa- Proto-West Germanic *missa- Old English mis- Middle English mys- English mis- English apprehend English misapprehend From mis- + apprehend.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: missverstehen — to interpret something incorrectly; to misunderstand
  • Italian: male interpretare — to interpret something incorrectly; to misunderstand
  • Māori: moehewa — to interpret something incorrectly; to misunderstand